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Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged Peter Obi to explain why he is not supporting Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition if he considers him qualified to lead Nigeria.
Okonkwo raised the question while reacting to Obi’s appearance at the inauguration of Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja ahead of the 2027 general election.
Daily Sun recalled that Makinde, who is contesting the presidency on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), officially opened his campaign office on Monday.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was among the political figures who attended the event.
Speaking during the ceremony, Obi described Makinde as qualified to contest for the presidency.
However, on ARISE TV’s Daybreak programme on Tuesday Okonkwo questioned whether Obi’s presence at the event amounted to an actual political alliance between the two politicians ahead of the 2027 election.
“I wish I can help you to say it, could be that Peter Obi is offering any alliance, but unfortunately, being very honest, I can’t say it,” Okonkwo said.
The ADC chieftain recalled Obi’s previous association with the party, noting that the former Anambra State governor had been linked with efforts to form an alliance before leaving shortly before the ADC presidential primary.
“Peter Obi was in ADC and offered to be in alliance with ADC, and he ran away almost like one week to the primary,” he said.
Okonkwo also played down the significance of Obi attending Makinde’s campaign office inauguration, arguing that his appearance at political and social gatherings should not automatically be interpreted as an endorsement or alliance.
“Even if you invite him for naming ceremony or for wedding ceremony, he will still be there, waving at the crowd, even if there is no crowd, he’ll wave at trees,” he said.
He subsequently questioned why Obi would seek the presidency independently if he genuinely believed Makinde was qualified for the office.
“Why am I saying that? If you believe that Seyi Makinde is qualified, why didn’t you support him?” Okonkwo asked.
He further challenged Obi to explain why he had gone ahead with his own presidential ambition rather than forming an alliance with Makinde from the outset.
“Why go to INEC? Why deceive your followers you want to contest for president? Why don’t you, from day one, team up an alliance and it will be consolidated?” he asked.
Okonkwo’s comments come amid renewed manoeuvring among opposition politicians and parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with alliances and possible realignments expected to shape the contest.
